NOW That’s What I Call 12” 80s

Product Information

The channel launched in its current form on 27 December 2016, initially as a temporary pop-up rebrand of Now Music, previously a contemporary pop channel. In the run-up to Christmas each year, Now Music would flip to a Christmas music format under the name NOW Christmas, with the temporary suspension of the normal contemporary output (in 2012, Greatest Hits TV became "Christmas Hits TV"). and continuing with a run of some of most memorable hits of the decade from Kenny Loggins with ‘Footloose’, the massive number one ‘Uptown Girl’ from Billy Joel and the triumphant ‘I’m Still Standing’ from Elton John.

You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. The 12” single was a dynamic and increasingly essential part of the release schedule as the decade progressed. It was initially thought this would be temporary, and that the previous NOW Music would resume in early 2017, but the success of the 1980s format saw this retained indefinitely. Non-personalized content and ads are influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing and your location (ad serving is based on general location).

Moving on with a selection of songs from some of the greatest female voices of the decade – including Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, Chaka Khan, Irene Cara and Olivia Newton-John. Following the success of NOW 80s, sister channel Chilled TV was retooled as 1990s music station Chilled 90s from March 2017; this channel was then used for NOW Christmas in 2017 (allowing the Christmas format and the 80s station to run simultaneously), before fully rebranded as NOW 90s from 27 December 2017. In June 2018 availability of NOW 80s was extended to Freeview HD owners in more parts of the country by relocating to the Arqiva COM8 multiplex. Disc 2 kicks off with The Communards’ chart topper ‘Don't Leave Me This Way’ before a string of massive number ones from Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Duran Duran, Soft Cell, The Human League, Culture Club and the party staple ‘Come On Eileen’ from Dexys Midnight Runners. Big Audio Dynamite, Julian Cope and XTC are also included before the collection draws to a close with Latin Quarter's 'Radio Africa' - and Scritti Politti's 1981 single 'The 'Sweetest Girl''.

Other iconic legends Iggy Pop and Electric Light Orchestra lead to the massive Rock smash ‘The Final Countdown’ from Europe. NOW - 80s Alternative' - A celebration of a different view of the decade's charts - the lesser-compiled 1980's singles. Opening with the song that launched one of the defining bands of the era, The Smiths, with 'Hand In Glove' the final CD features a stellar line up of '80s Alternative Chart hits - The Icicle Works, It's Immaterial, B-Movie, Kissing The Pink and Gang Of Four are all featured with timeless singles. Devotion, Diana Ross and Sister Sledge all enjoyed massive success with production and writing from Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards from Chic and Pop smashes became Disco gold from Liquid Gold, Village People, Kelly Marie and the aptly titled ‘D. The new channel played a mix of current/contemporary and classic pop hits, broadcasting strands such as Britain's Hit 40.

Big Audio Dynamite, Julian Cope and XTC are also included before the collection draws to a close with Latin Quarter’s ‘Radio Africa’ – and Scritti Politti’s 1981 single ‘The “Sweetest Girl”’. The epic ‘This Corrosion’ from Sisters Of Mercy starts LP 2 in grandiose style, followed by atmospheric masterpieces from Siouxsie And The Banshees, Bauhaus and The Cure. favourites ‘Jump (For My Love)’, ‘It’s Raining Men’ and ‘Feels Like I’m In Love’ lead on to the number one version of ‘La Bamba’ from Los Lobos.